behind will you be lavish of that time still will you lose any more Oh see the Wisdom of redeeming Time Eph. 5. 15 16. See then that ye walk circumspectly not as Fools but as wise redeeming the time because the days are evil And fear the loss of time 1 Pet. 1. 17. If ye call on the Father who without respect of Persons judgeth according to every mans work pass the time of your sojourning here in fear Be sure to lose no more for to lose all your time is most certainly to lose your selves and that for ever In the other World there is no obtaining Mercy by those who all the while they were in this World slighted Mercy There is no working out your own Salvation after death if all your Life-time Salvation be neglected 7. After Affliction be full of gratitude Holy Ingenuity and Love The Calves of your Lips most acceptable Sacrifices should be offered frequently nay continually with an enlarged Heart with a willing mind David was in danger of losing his Life among the Philistines God preserves it How Fruitful are his Lips in Praises Psal 34. 1 2 3 4. I will bless the Lord at all times his Praise shall continually be in my Mouth my Soul shall make her boast in the Lord the humble shall hear thereof and be glad Oh magnifie the Lord with me and let us exalt his Name together I sought the Lord and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears Hezekiah had been deliver'd from deadly Sickness he was raised by special Favour and Power when according to Nature Death was unavoidable Coming so unexpectedly and so quickly from a seeming Death-Bed to the Temple how does he make that Temple Ring with his Thanskgivings Isa 38. 17 19. Behold for Peace I had great bitterness but thou hast in love to my Soul deliver'd it from the Pit of Corruption thou hast cast all my Sins behind thy back The living the living he shall Praise thee as I do this day the Father to the Children shall make known thy Truth Not onely must your Mouths be fill'd with Praises but your Hearts with Love and Ingenuity should make you study what to render unto God Observe the working of the Psalmists grateful Breast after God had deliver'd his Soul from Death his Eyes from Tears and his Feet from falling Psal 116. 1. I love the Lord because he hath heard my Voice and my Supplication V. 3. The Sorrows of Death compassed me the Pains of Hell got hold upon me V. 5 6. Gracious is the Lord and Righteous yea our God is merciful I was brought low and he helped me V. 7. Return to thy rest O my Soul for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee V. 12. What shall I render to the Lord for all his Benefits towards me He thought nothing too good nothing too much for that God who had been so good to him who had done so much for him Still you should be contriving to make more suitable returns for what you have received and with your Praises and Service your Hearts and Love must be the Principal part of the returns you make Love lies in Desire and Delight no Mercies so desirable as the Father of Mercies God Himself is more to be delighted in than any of the Benefits he bestows Take heed of loving Deliverance more than your Deliverer Mercies themselves are Idolized and it provokes the Lord to Jealousie if they are prized and delighted in more than the Lord God of your Mercies Therefore the Psalmist though he valued Deliverance from Enemies and Trouble yet principally rejoices in God himself Psal 9. 2. I will be glad and rejoice in Thee I will Praise thy Name O thou most High Rejoice in God more than in the return of Health more than in the Prolongation of Life or any other Comfort and Enjoyment Mercies attain their end when God is more endeared to you by them God will be all in all in Heaven and the more he is your all at present the more of Heaven you enjoy on Earth 8. After Affliction be sensible you are not safe in your own Hands therefore commit the keeping of your Souls to God 1 Pet. 4. 19. Let them commit the keeping of their Souls to Him in well-doing as unto a Faithful Creator If you are indeed wise and know your selves you will distrust your selves Self-Confidence is an undeniable Argument of Self-Ignorance Trust your selves in no hands but those out of which none shall ever be able to pluck you and those are hands of Christ and the Father Joh. 10. 27 28 29. My Sheep hear my Voice and I know them and they follow me and I give unto them Life Eternal and they shall never perish neither shall any pluck them out of my hand My Father which gave them me is greater than All and none is able to pluck them out of my Fathers hand Not onely in the Hour and Agony of Death but all your lives long every Day and Hour you have need still to be commending your Spirits unto God for they are safe with none besides Psal 31. 5. Into thy hands do I commit my Spirit thou hast redeemed me O Lord God of Truth USE IV. Of Counsel more peculiarly to Saints who are afflicted Shew your selves to be Saints indeed and let your Graces now be much in Exercise Spices beaten in the Mortar are the more Fragrant Afflicted Saints should manifest a rare and excellent Spirit but no Dissatisfaction or Discontent considering the Truth of this Doctrine that they are afflicted for their good You that are Saints in your Troubles you need Counsel and 't is not to be doubted but you will heed it I shall give it in these particulars 1. Be Patient whatever your Affliction is That God whom you serve is patient towards Man has been patient towards you how many affronts and Provocations has he born put up and pardoned The Lord Jesus Christ was a Pattern of Patience and Meekness When he was reviled of Men he reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not 1 Pet. 2. 23. Nay many had Life by his Blood who imbrued their hands in that Blood and shed it And when it Vivificatâ—â— Christi sanguine etiam qui fudit sanguinem Christi Talis est Christi ac tanta patientia quae nisi talis existeret Paulum quoque Apostolum Ecclesia non haberet Cypr. de bono Patientiae p. mihi 316. pleased his Father to bruise him and to put him to grief yet as a Lamb brought to the slaughter and as a Sheep before her Shearers is dumb so he opened not his Mouth Isa 53. 7. The Members of the Body should imitate Christ the Head in Patience It may be an Inducement to a quiet bearing of Affliction that far worse has been demerited by the very best than is endured Ezr. 9. 13. Thou our God hast punished us less than our Iniquities deserve But the Benefit of Affliction proves that Patience
World Now they may adorn the Doctrine of God their Saviour in all things Now with well-doing they may put to silence the Ignorance of foolish men 1 Pet. 2. 15. Now by a Consciencious Performance of Relative Duties they may be great Blessings to their Relations and greatly promote their Eternal Interest They may be blameless and harmless without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse Nation acting like the Children of God shining as Lights in the World holding forth the Word of Life Phil. 2. 14 15 16. But when once Death has seized on the Preachers of the Word their Mouths are stopt with Earth and they are effectually silenced they can speak unto and oversee the Church no longer At Death also Christian 's Work is at an end in this World therefore before the approach of Deaths Night when it will be too late to work Let all in the mean time work the harder 8. Though you are deliver'd out of Affliction recover'd from your Distempers be sure to die daily So did the Apostle 1 Cor. 15. 31. Dying daily implies a daily Meditation of Death looking upon your selves every day within the reach of Death and a continual preparedness for Death and a stedfast Resolution rather to suffer Death than to make Shipwrack of Faith and a good Conscience Do not reckon upon long Life but be perswaded to live well is to live indeed Live as those that must die certainly as those that may die suddenly Be not offended at the Cross of Christ though it should ly so heavy upon you as to press you to Death Sinful saving the Life is losing it but they who are valiant for the Truth of Christ and will venture the losing of Life for Christs sake shall find it Mat. 16. 25. And if natural Life be continued be earnestly desirous that Spiritual Life and liveliness may be increased Pray to be quickned as the Psalmist often does Psal 119. and look unto Jesus who is a quickning Spirit 1 Cor. 15. 45. The first Man Adam was made a living Soul the last Adam was made a quickning Spirit As he has given you Life so he is ready to give it more and more abundantly this will make you to live to him and to be unweariedly active for him The quickned Apostl's earnest desire was that Christ might be magnified by him his Life was at his Lords Service and he was ready to die also to serve him Phil. 1. 20. According to my earnest Expectation and my Hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed but that with all boldness as always so now also Christ shall be magnified in my Body whether it be by Life or by Death USE V. Of Consolation to Saints to whom it is so good when they are afflicted Unto the Righteous there ariseth Light in the Darkness The Rainbow the emblem of Peace and token of the Covenant is often seen in the blackest Cloud The Saints are never in such depths but Comfort belongs to them 't is good for them to be as they are nay all things considered 't is best for them Quod sis esse velis nihilque malis Believers should never say they had rather it might be otherwise with them than God sees it fit it should be when the Plough of Affliction pierces deepest Light and Joy is sowing and the Hopes of what at last will be reaped should allay the Sorrow wherewith the sowing is attended The Grounds of Consolation to afflicted Saints are these 1. Gods goodness is unquestionable however he is pleased to deal with his People Let them be plagued let them be chastned never so sore yet God is good to Israel even to them that are of a clean Heart Psal 73. 1. God is their God and his dealings are ever according to his Gracious Covenant His wounding of them is not like the wounds given by an Enemy but like the Chyrurgians Lancings in order to greater soundness and for Lifes Preservation Isa 27. Hath he smitten him as he smote those that smote him No no great is the Difference between the Rod and the Scorpion between Believers being chastned as Children and the Wicked their falling into the hands of the Living God who takes Vengeance upon them 2. That good which Saints receive by Affliction is Spiritual The Soul has a great kindness done to it The Conscience is bettered as to calmness and cleanness the Heart is made more pure the Spirit of the Lord works a greater change into the Image of God so that there is an advancing from Glory to Glory When Job had been some while afflicted his Spirit began to run more clear Job 23. 10. But he knoweth the way that I take when he hath tried me I shall come forth like Gold The Fire and Furnace in Zion purges the Dross and how then does the Gold shine 3. That good which the Saints reap by Affliction is peculiar and distinguishing Wicked men are either stupid under Affliction or if they are startled they return to their former Security after Affliction To have Affliction sanctified is a favour peculiar to Gods peculiar People 4. This good which the Saints receive by Affliction at present is an earnest to them of Eternal good things in the other World Afflictions are part of the Purgatory through which the Saints pass and are made meet for Glory The Popish Purgatory is a meer Invention for that Antichristian Churches secular Gain The Dead find it to be nothing but vast is the Worldly gain accrueing hereby to the living by this Craft comes in the Priests Wealth But the Purgatory of Affliction promotes Purity and is really Beneficial The Rod at present yeilds the peaceable fruits of Righteousness and when these are brought forth a Crown of Righteousness is assured 2 Tim. 4. 8. I have done with the first Doctrine That Saints are afflicted for their good I shall be Brief in the Second which follows D. 2. The second Doctrine which I raised from the Text was this The Rod of God is a means to make the Word of God to be the better Learned Psal 119. 67. Before I was afflicted I went astray but now have I kept thy Word Affliction was the means to put a stop to the Psalmists wandring it brought his Feet into the right Path and established his goings What a light shines in the School of Affliction Things are seen naked there Sin the World Hell and Destruction are all naked The great things of the Word are plainly seen to be great and good indeed and are no longer lookt upon as strange things In the handling of this Doctrine I shall 1. Shew you when the Word of God is indeed learned 2. What influence the Rod of God has unto the better Learning of his Word 3. Make Application In the first Place I am to shew you when the Word of God is indeed and aright learned 1. Learning the Word implies a Perswasion of the Words Divine Authority and Truth He has not
Prayer Or a Discourse wherein the Nature of Prayer is open'd the Kinds of Prayer are handled and the right manner of Praying discovered Several Cases about this Duty are Resolved From Eph. 6. 18. Praying always with all Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit c. Unto which is added a Direction for the Attaining the Gift of Prayer That Family-Duty may not be omitted nor Secret Duty discouraged through Inability of Utterance and Expression A Heaven or Hell upon Earth Or a Discourse concerning Conscience on Acts 24. 16. Herein do I exercise my self to have a Conscience c. The True Touchstone which shews both Grace and Nature Or a Discourse concerning Self-Examination by which both Saints and Sinners may come to know themselves Whereunto are added sundry Meditations relating to the Lords Supper The more Excellent Way to Edifie the Church of Christ Or a Discourse concerning Love The Design of which is to Revive that Grace now under such decays among Protestants of ALL Perswasions The Conversion of the Soul Or a Discourse Explaining the Nature of that Conversion which is sincere and Directing and Perswading all to cease their Loving Sin and Death and to Turn to God and Live A Warning given to Sinners to prepare for Judgment to flee from Wrath to come and turn from All Sin but especially the Sin which does most easily beset them The Little Childs Catechism In which the Principles of the Christian Religion are in plain Words and short Answers laid down and suited to the Memories and Understandings of Little Children Whereunto are added several short Histories which may both please and profit them as also Directions how to Pray The Principles of the Doctrine of Christ Or a Catechism in which is contained the Sum of the Christian Religion or what is necessary to be believed and done in order to Salvation The Answers being but Seventeen in number and in very plain words easie to be understood Unto which is added a Catechism for Conscience wherein the Consciences of the Ignorant the grosly Profane the Young the meerly Mortal and the Hypocrites are examined in order to their Instruction and Awakening and the Consciences of the sincere Christians are tried in order to their Peace and Comfort The Saints Triumph over the Last Enemy In a Sermon Preached at the Funeral of that Zealous and Painful Minister of Christ Mr. James Janeway Unto which is added His Character His sore Conflict before he died And afterwards His Triumphant manner of departing from Earth to the Heavenly Inheritance On 1 Cor. 15. 55. O Death where is thy sting Israels Lamentation at the Death of a Prophet In a Sermon Preached at the Funeral of that Holy Learned and Painful Minister of Christ Mr. Thomas Cawton And now published at the earnest Desire of the Hearers On 1 Sam. 25. 1 And Samuel died and all the Israelites were gathered together and lamented him A Funeral Sermon Occasioned by the Death of Mr. George Baker First Preached and then Published at the earnest Desire of his Relations On 1 〈◊〉 1. 17. Pass the Time of your Sojourning â—â—re in Fear The Great Change Discoursed of in a Funeral Sermon occasioned by the Death of Mrs. Martha Thompson late Wife of Captain William Thompson in Wapping On Job 14. 14. All the days of my appointed time will I wait till my change come The Good of Affliction Psalm 119. 71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted that I might learn thy Statutes THough I appear not in the face of this Assembly as One risen from the dead yet as One raised from the very brink of the Grave and am again sent to Preach the Word of Life the Gospel of Salvation Since I was last in this place I have been brought very near to another World and when I had a clearer view of it I found that God was All and that all this World was nothing less than nothing and vanity When Sickness lies heavy and the last Enemy Death seems entring in at the door believe me then it appears that Divine Favour is better than Life the succours of our merciful and faithful High-Priest the Lord Jesus the supports of his Grace and that Peace of God which passes all understanding are things of real and of the highest value I did not know but that my Work and Life might be just ending but that I might quickly be in that place where I should see Man no more nor Preach any more the Word of Reconciliation But behold in Answer to the prayers of many health is restored and my Sickness will prove good both to me and you if I am more sincere in the exercise of and you are more serious in your attendance upon my Ministry I have been Once and again brought back from the gates of Death my obligation is increased to live more to God and to endeavour to do more good to the Souls of men I wish these ends of my life towards the conclusion of it may be attained more than ever The dealings of God with me of late have been very remarkable I desire aright to regard the operation of his hands and wisely to consider of his doings He has come into my house with a Rod in his hand and to one Member of my Family he gave a deadly blow and others he has struck down though not quite yet near to the Grave I my self have been of late twice seized with a Death threatning Malady and am here before you all to accept the punishment of my iniquity whereby infinitely worse has been deserved than what I have undergone I kiss the Rod for the needful healing strokes of it which I have felt and great reason I have to proclaim my Chastizers faithfulness and love and how good 't is for me that I have been afflicted In the words which I have read these particulars are observable 1. Here is an Exercise sharp and sore to Nature and which will put Grace upon the Tryal and prove the truth and strength of it and this Exercise is Affliction 2. The Person thus exercised is the Psalmist who was both Saint and Preacher Saints are afflicted that they may be more throughly sanctified Preachers are afflicted that they may Preach and labour to better purpose 3. From whom came the Psalmists Affliction the Rod which he felt was in God's hand To Him he speaks in the Text being sensible he had to do with God and God had to do with him Rods though of sins meriting are of God's making All bitter Cups are of God's own mingling the kind the measure the continuance of Affliction is of the Lord 's own appointment 4. The Issue of Affliction follows it issued well in the Psalmists truest good it made him really better than he was before therefore good for him indeed It was medicinal to his Soul the inward man was more renewed heart and life both very much amended 5. Here is a demonstration that Affliction was thus
meets with in this World to prove Helps and Advantages This goodness of God is firmly to be believed admired and confided in and considering the greatness and freeness of it too much cannot be expected from it Much of it is manifested and laid out at present and much more is laid up for the Saints in the other World Psal 31. 19. Oh how great is thy goodness which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the Sons of Men If the goodness of God turns Evil into Good what may be expected from the good things he gives his People how much good shall they do them how beneficial shall the Ministry of the Word Holy Ordinances and the Priviledges of the Sanctuary prove to the Saints Psal 65. 4. Blessed is the man whom thou choosest and causest to approach unto thee that he may dwell in thy Courts we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy House even of thy Holy Temple 8. Saints are exceedingly culpable and to be blamed when after Affliction they decline instead of growing better It argues Corruption very strong when Affliction does not purge it out Folly is but too fast bound up in the Heart that the Rod of God does not drive it away Gods Love is accompanied with Jealousie let Saints therefore be jealous of themselves lest after Affliction their Hearts deal treacherously and prove unstedfast Good Hezekiah was Sick and had the Sentence of Death pronounced upon him but he falls a praying hard and weeping sore his Tears deörsum fluunt sed coelum petunt fell to the Ground but Heaven is affected at shedding of them He is heard he is spared he is healed and brought into the House of God when he expected to have been carried to the Grave And such a Sign was given him to assure him of going to the Temple as amazed the World the Sun in the Firmament went so many degrees backward Now how much Faith Humility Gratitude Obedience might have been expected from so good a man to whom such singular goodness had been manifested But Alas Hezekiah rendred not again according to the Benefit done to him for his Heart was lifted up therefore there was wrath upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem 2 Chron. 32. 25. His Riches and Honour which he had in abundance might puff him up and the thought of that Sign which declared him a special favourite of Heaven as he supposed unto the King of Babylon might also make his Heart to swell within him No Saint that is Wise will be Self-confident for after the removal of Affliction there is great danger of Security and Backsliding Self-jealousie therefore and a sense of natural impotency and unfaithfulness to our selves should make us cry to be upheld by Him who is of Power to establish us If Saints receive not Correction how soon may they be taken in hand and again lashed And their not profiting by the Rod fills Satans Mouth with Accusations against them and their own Consciences with Reproaches Gods displeasure grows hotter and more smarting blows may be expected Lev. 26. 23. 24. And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things but will walk contrary unto me then will I also walk contrary unto you and will punish you yet seven times for your Sins USE II. Of Advice to more Notorious Sinners whose scandalous Lives witness to the badness of their State and by their constant Evil Works they shew they are Children that have no Faith or if their Sin be not so apparent to others 't is apparent to themselves Conscience if they would but heed it charges them with secret wickedness which is committed with great Presumption and Boldness If such as these are seized upon by Sickness or feel any other smarting Rod I would give them such Advice as if it be followed their Affliction will have a good issue and effect upon them as bad as they are 1. When Affliction overtakes you that are very wicked Take notice how your Sin has found you out That threatning Num. 32. 23. is accomplished Ye have sinn'd against the Lord and be sure your Sin will find you out It has been hunting you with Evils at the heels of it and now it has actually overtaken you You dream't not of this in the hour of Temptation when Sin was represented to you by your subtle Enemy as all Gain and Pleasure Affliction shews the Misery it has brought you to and that 't is full of Gall and Wormwood Thus Sin found out Judah of old Jer. 2. 19. Thine own wickedness shall correct thee and thy backslidings shall reprove thee know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God and that my fear is not in thee saith the Lord God of Hosts Sin your Enemy has found you and you feel to your Cost and Wo that it is an Enemy indeed Wickedness was once sweet in your Mouths and you did hide it under your Tongue you spared it and would by no means forsake it but now in your Bowels 't is turned and is the very Gall of Asps within you Job 20. 12 13 14. 2. Behold you that are wicked how God is come forth in anger against you there is a Rod in his hand frowns in his face and he is full of just Indignation against you And who can stand before that Indignation Nah. 1. 2. God is Jealous and the Lord Revengeth the Lord Revengeth and is furious the Lord will take Vengeance on his Adversaries and reserveth wrath for his Enemies Such Potsheards of the Earth as the strongest and stoutest Sinners of you all are cannot stand before your Maker when he is Contending with you Ezek. 22. 14. Can thy Heart endure or can thy hands be strong when I shall deal with thee If the Wrath of a King be as the Messenger of Death What is the anger of Him who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords who does what he will in the Army of Heaven and among the Inhabitants of the Earth and none can stay his hand or say to him What dost thou since all the Inhabitants of the World are reputed as nothing before him Dan. 4. 35. This Anger of God has Almighty and Irresistible Strength joined with it and therefore 't is very terrible Psal 90. 11. Who knows the Power of thine Anger even according to thy Fear so is thy Wrath. Though there be never so much fear and dread of God in the Hearts of any the Anger of God if ready to fall upon them deserves all that fear the Devils believe and feel this wrath and are apprehensive of its continuance and increase therefore they tremble Jam. 2. 20. See O Sinner that the glorious and dreadful Majesty of Heaven and Earth is angry with Thee in Particular Thou art the man who hast bitterly provoked him Thy Iniquities are hateful to him Now if God is
the tree which bringeth not forth good fruit Mat. 3. 10. And now also the Ax is laid to the Root of the Trees therefore every Tree which bringeth not forth good Fruit is hewen down and cast into the Fire And if this bringing forth no good Fruit brings the Tree to Everlasting burning what fierce Flames will burn those Trees which bring forth a great deal of bad Fruit Such as you read of Deut. 32. 32 33. For their Vine is of the Vine of Sodom and of the Fields of Gomorrah their Grapes are Grapes of Gall their Clusters are bitter their Wine is the Poyson of Dragons and the cruel Venom of Asps To go on in Sin after recovery from Sickness may shorten your days and make Sentence against you to be speedily executed 5. Though Death is a little delayed yet it will certainly and quickly come let it not find you unprepared Heb. 9. 27. It is appointed unto men once to dye and after this the Judgment And this appointment is concerning you as well as others Therefore speak every one of you as Job did Job 30. 23. For I know that thou wilt bring me to Death and to the House appointed for all the living 'T is not more certain you are alive than 't is certain that you shall shortly die And wo to you if you lie still and at last die in your Wickedness If Sin be the sting of Death then so many Sins as you have been guilty of so many stings will your Death have A King of Terrors indeed it will be found when with so many stings 't is armed Pray hard that a saving change may be wrought in Heart and Life before the great change come and that you may pass from Death to Life in a Spiritual Sense before in a Natural Sense you pass from Life to Death USE III. Of Direction more generally unto all and here I shall direct you How to carry it under Affliction And likewise how after Affliction that you may receive much good by Affliction In the first place I am to direct you how to carry it under Affliction 1. Under Affliction be perswaded and take great notice that God himself is come to visit you Though he be not the Author of sin yet Penal Evils are all from him chastning is called the Chastning of the Lord Heb. 12. 5. Chastisements are stiled his rebukes His Providence is so extensive that not a Sparrow falls to the ground without Him Nothing then befalls any of the Children of men but by Divine Appointment Fix your Eyes therefore upon God He has taken you in hand and out of his hand none can rescue you and the wound that is made will remain uncured till the same hand heal which gave it Job 9 13. If God will not withdraw his anger the Proud helpers do stoop under him The Chaldeans were the Ax but Gods hand hewed Israel with it they were the Saw but Gods hand did shake it And when you see 't is really God himself that visits you in Severity behave your selves as Creatures ought to do towards their Creator who is infinitely above them has been greatly offended by them can easily crush them and yet is able and ready upon Humiliation to cure them If the Invisible God who corrects were more eyed in all the strokes he give you this would have a mighty Efficacy to abase you before him and to make Affliction attain its end upon you that an end might be put to your Affliction 2. Under Affliction Justifie God and accept the Punishment of your Iniquity in Affliction Conscience may speak very plain and home and so as that you have nothing to reply and the Spirit of God may set in with Conscience and make its charge more unanswerable Heedfully listen to Conscience and Mind the Convictions of the Spirit Oh search and try your ways the ways that your Hearts and Affections have gone as well as the Paths you have broken with your Feet Be better acquainted with the evil nature of your own ways and their pernicious and destructive Tendency Lay blame where it ought to be laid upon an evil Heart especially for that 's the fruitful womb in which Sin is conceived that brings forth all the Evils wherewith the man is defiled 'T is the Evil Heart which through unbelief departs from the Living God and is inclined to dead works and lying Vanities Fail not to clear the Justice of God as it is written That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings and mightest overcome when thou art judged Rom. 3. 4. Judge likewise and condemn your selves and your Sin as the meritorious cause of all your Sorrows and Sufferings Never look upon Sin but behold the long train of Evils that follow after it and if you were not deliver'd from Sin it self this train of Evils would run Parallel with Eternity God requires the Heart should be humbled and accept the Punishment of its Iniquity The Heart must firmly believe that Sin is that whereat God is displeased that Sin is the procuring Cause of all other Evils that are felt and that the true Reason of Gods Controversie is because even because his Word and Commandments have been cast behind the back despised and broken Levit. 26. 41 43. 3. Under Affliction be sensible of the Plagues of your own Hearts and Consent with Earnest Desire to have them presently and throughly healed The Sickness and Perishing of the outward man is for the restoring the inward man to Health The Humours and Appetites and Inclinations of the Body are an occasion of much Sin in the Soul which should make you the more contented that the Flesh should be diseased and pained and ready to perish that the Spirit may be healed and saved in the day of the Lord Jesus Corporal Diseases attain not their end unless they make you sensible of Spiritual Maladies Is thy Head thy Breast thy Back or any part of thy Body out of Order presently look with a diligent search into thy own Heart to know what that ailes that there may be the more serious and speedy Application to the great Physician of Souls Ephraim when chastized was sensible of the stubbornness of corrupted Nature and its backwardness to come under the Yoak of God I was says he as a Bullock unaccustomed to the Yoak and he prays not so much for the removal of the Rod as for Grace that might Convert him unto God who did correct him Afflictions are Spiritual Medicines much made use of by the Lord who heals his People Sick-beds are the places where he Works great cures when the Face is Pale when the Pulse beats disorderly when the Blood is boiling hot and the whole Body in a Flame and the frame of Nature seems just ready to be dissolved all this has a mighty Influence unto the Souls Healthiness and Prosperity How are dreggs then purged out and how Pure Humble and Heavenly minded is the Heart then 4. Under Affliction desire
come to him find him All-sufficient so which is a great deal more He is Self-sufficient Infinitely more must be to the Blessedness of God then would be enough for the Blessedness of ten thousand Worlds of Men and Angels So that your glorifying of God is apprehending acknowledging and declaring his Glory not making him really more glorious than he was Glorifie God by Believing him to be what he has revealed himself by giving him the highest room in your Hearts depend upon him for all things This Fountain of living Waters is glorified when Saints always lie at it perpetually derive Streams from it and the broken Cisterns are forsaken Glorifie God by an higher Valuation of his Favour in Christ and a greater Contempt of earthly things in Comparison Glorifie God by more willing service and resolute cleaving to him God is honoured indeed when nothing can separate the Saints from him When neither the fiercest Wind to allude to the Tabb can blow away nor the hottest Sun can make them to cast away that change of Raiment with which he has cloathed them When they can say with the Church of old Psal 44. 17 18 19. All this is come upon us yet have we not forgotten Thee neither have we dealt falsly in thy Covenant Our Heart is not turned back from thee neither have our steps declined from thy ways though thou hast sore broken us in the Place of Dragons and covered us with the Shaddow of Death Finally Glorifie God by such Works as are not a denial of God but a Demonstration what a Lord he is and what his Grace is able to effect The Works of many Professors prove them Atheists Tit. 1. 16. They profess that they know God but in Works deny him being abominable and disobedient and to every good work reprobate But when Saints by good Works are shining Lights hereby Glory redounds to their Heavenly Father For as the Works of Creation are an Argument to prove most plainly an Eternal Power and Godhead so the Works of New Creatures so different from and so excellent above the Works of others make it evident that God is in these New Creatures and his Grace is with them of a Truth 4. You afflicted Saints observe the Special Sins for which your Father is angry with you and corrects you That Grace which is in you makes you weary of its contrary and the more Grace you have the more weary you will be of Sin which remains in you Cry to be cleansed from faults that are so secret that they hardly are discerned to be faults Psal 19. 12. Lurking Feavers how dangerous are they and much more dangerous are latent Corruptions Therefore Surely it is meet to be said unto God I have born Chastisement I will not offend any more that which I see not teach thou me if I have done Iniquity I will do no more Job 34. 31 32. Find out and purge out all the old Leaven whether it be the Leaven of Pride or Hypocrisie or Earthly-mindedness or Uncharitableness or any other Wickedness that ye may be a new Lump as ye are unleavened The bitter Cup is intended as a purging Potion Earnestly therefore desire that the Iniquity which has most prevailed and defiled you may be taken away 5. You afflicted Saints answer the Lords Expectations from you lest Wrath from the Lord be upon you He is sometimes very severe to them that are very dear to him He forgives their Iniquities but takes Vengeance of their Inventions Psal 99. 8. That eminent Moses being provoked in his Spirit spake unadvisedly with his Lips Psal 106. 33. And that Word cost him his Life He falls before Israel enter'd into Canaan Hezekiah was a Gracious Man full of Faith himself and a Prince very zealous for the Reformation of Judah See what a Character is given him 2 Chron. 31. 20 21. Thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah and wrought that which was good and Right and Truth before the Lord his God And in every Work that he began in the Service of the House of God and in the Law and in the Commandments to seek his God he did it with all his Heart and prospered And yet this Excellent King after Affliction not watching his Heart but Suffering it to be lifted up Wrath 't is said was upon him 2 Chron. 32. 35. Though Gods Love to his Children be never turned into hatred yet notwithstanding his Love to them he may be very angry with them he may take them up and lash them in the view of all to vindicate his Holiness and to make it evident that he takes no pleasure in Wickedness by whomsoever it is committed After you have felt his strokes fear your Fathers Frowns and Anger please him in all things and abound in so doing this he justly looks for after he has shewn Care and Kindness both in Correcting you and in flinging the Rod out of his hand 6. Let the Rod you have been chastized with cause you to mend your Pace in Heavens way Why should Saints be as so many Snails who ought rather to be swifter than Eagles hasting to the Prey Is there such an Holy and Mighty Spirit to help your Infirmities Are there such Promises of assisting Grace Is there such a glorious Crown and Prize at the end of the race And does your Salvation grow nearer and nearer every day Oh put on with greater speed And let not a greater Violence be used by earthly men for meer trifles than is by you for the Heavenly Kingdom Imitate those wisely eager ones Mat. 11. 12. From the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth Violence and the Violent take it by force Imitate the Apostle Paul who though he had laboured so abundantly was far from tiring but press't on still with greater forwardness towards the Mark for the prize of the high Calling of God 7. Abound in that Work for God here upon Earth which cannot be done when you come to Heaven Fill up your Time well with that business which will cease when you enter upon Eternity The Preachers of the Gospel may do much at present which they cannot do hereafter Now they may warn Sinners to flee from the Wrath to come Now they may call them to turn from their evil ways and live now they may pray them in Christs stead to be reconciled to God Now they may take heed to all the Flock over which the Holy Ghost has made them overseers to feed the Church of God which he has purchased with his own Blood Acts 20. 28. And take heed to their Ministry which they have received in the Lord that they may fulfil it Col. 4. 17. Now they may shew themselves in all things Patterns of good Works Examples to the Flock always labouring fervently for them in Prayer that they may stand perfect and compleat in all the Will of God Christians also have their Work now to do which cannot be done in the other
learned the Word who does not believe it to be indeed the Word of God who cannot lie 2 Tim. 3. 16. All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God Mens Contradictions to the Word are audacious and damnable falshoods And if Angels from Heaven should speak contrary to it they must not have our Assent but our Anathema Gal. 1. 8. But though we or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed They who have learned the Word of God perceive the Harmony of all its parts and believe the whole and are influenced by that belief for the certain Truth of the Word makes it most Encouraging and Comfortable to the Saints and with what Sweet Security do they rest upon it And the same Truth should make it very Terrible to all impenitent Sinners 2. Learning the Word implies an observing the Scope and Design of the Word of God now the Design and Scope of it is the Glory of God and Mans Happiness and Salvation God cannot have an higher end in what he does than Himself for he is above all therefore he has made and does all things for Himself and truly since of him and through him are all things he is worthy that all things should be referred to him and that in all things he should always be glorified Rom. 11. 36. For of him and through him and to him are all things to whom be Glory for ever Amen In Subordination to his own Glory the Lord designs mans wellfare Luk. 2. 14. Glory be to God in the Highest on Earth Peace good will towards men When the Word of God is truly learned great notice is taken of its design and the Learners aim is accordingly directed The Glory of God and mans truest good are inseparably conjoined So that this is past doubt when man most Minds Gods Honour he Minds most his own Interest and Happiness 3. Learning the Word implies taking due notice of the Purity and Holiness of the Word of God Psal 12. 6. The Words of the Lord are pure Words as Silver tried in a Furnace of Earth purified seven times The Psalmist saw this Purity and did not take offence at it but very much liked it and loved the Word the better for it Psal 119. 140. Thy Word is very pure therefore thy Servant loveth it God the Author of this Word is of Purer Eyes than to behold Iniquity no wonder that the Word is purer than to allow of any Iniquity The Word will not permit Sin in the Tabernacle Job 11. 14. If Iniquity be in thy Hand put it far away and let not wickedness dwell in thy Tabernacle The Word prohibits our contentedly Suffering Sin to ly upon our Brother Levit. 19. 17. Thou shalt not hate thy Brother in thy Heart thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy Neighbour and not suffer Sin upon him The hands must be cleansed and so must especially the Heart Jam. 4. 8. Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you cleanse your Hands ye Sinners purifie your Hearts ye double minded If Sin commands the Tongue Religion is but vain if Sin be regarded in the Heart Prayer is to no purpose How excellent and pure is this Word of God! and those that learn it see both the Necessity and Excellency of Purity and Holiness and they hunger and thirst and follow after Righteousness and true Holiness 4. Learning the Word implies beholding wondrous things in the Word of God Psal 119. 18. Open thou my Eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy Law And V. 129. Thy Testimonies are wonderful therefore doeth my Soul keep them The Light which shines forth from hence is marvellous 1 Pet. 2. 2. That ye should shew forth the Praises of him who hath called you out of Darkness into marvellous Light The Mercy is amazing which saves from so much Sin prevents no less than endless Misery and brings those to Eternal Life who deserved to die the Eternal Death Jud. v. 21. Keep your selves in the Love of God looking for the Mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto Eternal Life That Wisdom which appears in the contrivance of Mans Redemption by Christ the Mediator is the Admiration of the elect Principalities and Powers Eph. 3. 10. To the intent that now unto thee Principalities and Powers in the Heavenly Places might be known by the Church the manifold Wisdom of God And the Love of God in Christ is most sweetly astonishing 'T is without Motive without Measure without Alteration its height and length and depth and breadth are past our reach and finding out And how highly are those who are interested in this Love advanced 1 Joh. 3. 1. Behold what manner of Love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God! and all his Sons are heirs of Everlasting Glory 5. Learning the Word implies knowing the Truth as it is in Jesus Eph. 4. 20 21. But ye have not so learned Christ if so be that ye have heard him and been taught by him as the Truth is in Jesus To know the Truth as it is in Jesus is to know Christ himself and all Divine Truths with respect to Christ He is the Center in which all the Lines in Scripture meet If God be lookt upon without respect to this Mediator the remembrance of the Holy and Righteous and Almighty Jehovah must needs be terrible and confounding to guilty and defiled Sinners But the Knowledge of God in Christ is beneficial and reviving for in Christ he is accessible and a God in Covenant and how encouraging is the Knowledg of Duty when we look to Jesus because in Christ we have assisting Grace to do it sincerely and when 't is thus done in Him we have acceptance 1 Pet. 2. 5. Ye also as lively stones are built up a Spiritual House an Holy Priesthood to offer up Spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ Though the House be Spiritual though the Priesthood be Holy though the Sacrifice be Spiritual yet 't is not upon their own but upon the account of Jesus Christ that they are acceptable Looking to Jesus we may look upon Sin and Misery without dismay nay with thankful Hearts for He saves from both and through him an abundant entrance is administred into the Everlasting Kingdom He has not learned the Word to any purpose who does not know that Christ is all in all and fills all in all 6. Learning the Word of God implies feeling the Power and Efficacy of this Word till the Spirit accompanies it and sets it home upon the Heart and there is an experience of its Power the Word is not aright learned 1 Thess 1. 5. Our Gospel came to you not in Word onely but in Power also and in the Holy Ghost and in much Assurance The Holy Ghost made you sensible of the Gospels Efficacy and its Efficacy assured you of its Divinity So 1 Thess 2. 13. Ye
because the Word of God has been observed with no more care Conscience also is still urging To the Law and to the Testimony This is the way to be freed from Trouble and to attain to Peace Psal 119. 165. Great Peace have they that Love thy Law Gal. 6. 16. And as many as walk according to this Rule Peace be on them and Mercy and upon the Israel of God 2. The Rod of Affliction takes off from worldly Business and Diversions and hereupon they that are afflicted are at better leasure to consider their ways Eccles 7. 14. In the day of Adversity consider God is not to be complained of for punishing Sin but men who are punished should search and try their ways and turn to Him Lam. 3. 39 40. Inconsiderateness is spoken of as the occasion of a World of Wickedness and 't is exclaimed against as very offensive and inexcusable Isa 1. 2 3. Hear O Heavens and give ear O Earth for the Lord hath spoken I have nourished and brought up Children and they have rebelled against me The Ox knows his owner and the Ass his Masters Crib but Israel doth not know my People doth not consider Now the more any consider what they do the greater heed they will take to the Word of God for this Word Counsels safely it directs and leads in the way of Peace and Truth and Life Prov. 6. 23. For the Commandment is a Lamp and the Law is Light and Reproofs of Instruction are the way of Life 3. The Rod of Affliction brings God to remembrance whose the Word is and God being remembred his Word is the more awfully regarded Most men forget the Lord all their days Jer. 2. 32. Can a Maid forget her Ornaments or a Bride her attire yet my People have forgotten me days without number And forgetting the Lord they forget themselves their Duty and their Interest Affliction is a means to bring God to mind and his hand being lifted up and there being a Rod in his hand there is a more heedful looking into his Word to know his Pleasure and what is the ground of his present displeasure and controversie Job was desirous to know his Transgression and Sin and wherefore it was that God hid his Face and counted him for his Enemy Job 13. 23 24. 4. The Rod of Affliction brings Iniquity to remembrance which is contrary to the Word of God The very first stroke of Correction how of a sudden has it opened mens Eyes and marshall'd their Sins more terrible than an Army with Banners before them Psal 50. 21. I will reprove thee and set them in Order before thine Eyes Now the remembrance of Sin is a great ingredient in true Contrition and Repentance which the Word of God so often calls for Ezek. 36. 31. Then shall ye remember your evil ways and doings that have not been good and shall loath your selves in your own sight for your Iniquities and Abominations To remember Sin in Hell will be to remember Sin too late and the Eternal Remembrance of it and the Folly and Perverseness in giving way to it will be a great part of the Sinners Eternal Torment But to remember Sin in Affliction is very profitable how evident now is the deceitfulness of it All its pretences of Impunity Gain and Pleasure are found altogether vain This is One great Lesson of the Rod. Sin cheats all its Servants and quickly ends in Sorrow 5. The Rod of Affliction brings Duty to remembrance which the Word of God requires Omission and neglect of Duty and negligence in Duty are then reflected on with grief for if Duty had been more seriously and frequently performed possibly the stroke might not have been felt and suppose it had improving of Ordinances might have furnished the Heart with more Faith and Patience to have born it And now says the Rod be better acquainted with the Word know thy Duty and from what Principle thou art to act after what manner and to what end Act from Spiritual Life let Faith work by Love and the more there is of the Heart and will in Obedience 't is the better and let it be the constant design that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 4. 11. Affliction vehemently urges unto practical Godliness and unto walking in newness of Life Doers of the Word are blessed in their deed whereas those Professours are Self-deceivers who satisfie themselves with a Faith which Works not but is dead Jam. 1. 22. But be ye doers of the Word and not hears only deceiving your own selves V. 25. Whoso looketh into the perfect Law of Liberty and continueth therein he being not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the Work this man shall be blessed in his deed 6. The Rod of Affliction brings Death to remembrance and Death brings the Night when the Work which the Word of God calls for can be done no more Joh. 9. 4. I must work the Works of him that sent me while 't is day the night cometh when no man can work When a man seriously meditates on Death how wise will it make him he will number his days aright and do the Work for which time and days are given him Psal 90. 12. Teach us so to number our days that we may apply our Hearts to Wisdom And if Death be brought to remembrance by Affliction Judgment which follows at the heels of Death will also be thought of And this Judgment will be according to the Word of God for this Book among others will be opened at the great day and Sentence pass'd according to it Joh. 12. 48. The Word which I have spoken the same shall judge him at the last day The Consideration of a future Judgment how will it quicken to the study search and Practise of the Word If the Word now bind thee because of thy Vnbelief and Impenitency in Sin thou art bound in Heaven If the Word now condemns thee continuing as thou art the Judge also will most certainly condemn thee But if the Word at present does acquit thee the Judge also will absolve thee If the Word pronounces thee blessed because Poor in Spirit Meek a Mourner for Sin one that hungers and thirsts after Righteousness because pure in Heart a Peace-maker and one that is willing to suffer Persecution for Righteousness sake rather than cease the Practice of Righteousness Mat. 5. 3 10. Being thus pronounced Blessed by the Word Our Lord will never contradict himself but at last will say to thee Come thou Blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for thee from the Foundation of the World Mat. 25. 34. I come in the last place to the Application USE I. Of Information From the Doctrine we may learn several useful Lessons 1. We may be instructed concerning the end of Affliction which is our truer Knowledg and Holiness The Rod sends us to the Word from whence Wisdom comes Prov. 2. 6. For the Lord giveth Wisdom out of